Texas Christian Horned Frogs vs. Baylor Bears Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 2nd 2024
Preview and Prediction
When long-standing adversaries Baylor and TCU face off on Saturday evening in a Big 12 Conference matchup in Waco, Texas, something is bound to give.
Both the Bears (4-4, 2-3) and Horned Frogs (5-3, 3-2) enter the game on two-game winning streaks.
This will be the 120th meeting between the two teams, making it the most-played rivalry game in the state of Texas.
Both squads are filled with talent.
Baylor's most recent game was a 38-28 triumph at home against Oklahoma State last Saturday. Sawyer Robertson threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 73 yards and another score to lead the Bears.
Dawson Pendergrass also had a standout performance, racking up 142 yards rushing on just six carries, including a 55-yard touchdown in the final minutes to secure the win. Baylor totaled 565 yards of offense, surpassing the 500-yard mark for the second consecutive game, and had a season-high 343 rushing yards.
The Bears have already surpassed their win total from last season, which was only three.
According to Baylor coach Dave Aranda, "Different skilled players have emerged in the past couple of weeks, resulting in the ball being distributed in various ways. When this happens, everyone feels like they have a role in scoring points and winning games. It creates a more positive and cohesive environment."
TCU will come into Waco with momentum after a thrilling 35-34 comeback victory at home against Texas Tech last Saturday.
The Horned Frogs were down by 17 points in the third quarter but managed to take the lead with an 84-yard touchdown pass from Josh Hoover to Eric McAlister with just over five minutes remaining. TCU then forced a fumble on their own 27-yard line and held on for the win.
Head coach Sonny Dykes stated, "I think we're playing with a lot of heart. It's not perfect football, but we're gaining confidence from grinding out tough wins. I really love this team; the players are invested in each other. You don't win a game like we did against Tech if that's not the case."
Hoover had an impressive performance, throwing for 344 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. His connection with McAlister was the longest scoring play of the season for TCU, surpassing a 75-yard touchdown pass from Hoover to Savion Williams earlier in the game.
Texas Christian Horned Frogs vs. Baylor Bears Recap NOV 2TH 2024
Isaiah Hankins booted a 33-yard field goal on the game's final play and Bryson Washington ran for 196 yards and four touchdowns to lift Baylor past TCU 37-34 on Saturday in Big 12 Conference action in Waco, Texas.
Bryson Washington's 13-yard run on the final drive got the Bears (5-4, 3-3 in Big 12) into chip-shot range after Baylor took over at their own 25-yard line with 1:55 to play. Sawyer Robertson had a 15-yard pass to Michael Trigg to convert a fourth down and nine to keep the winning drive alive and help the Bears win their third straight game.
Robertson passed for 242 yards in the victory as Baylor rushed for 257 yards.
Josh Hoover countered with 333 yards and two touchdowns through the air for TCU (5-4, 3-3 Big 12).
The Horned Frogs drew first blood, moving 95 yards in seven plays to an 8-yard Hoover-to-Jordyn Bailey TD pass at the 6:42 mark of the first quarter. Baylor tied the game when Washington ran eight yards into the end zone with 1:48 to play in the quarter.
Washington rolled away on a 40-yard touchdown run with 8:41 remaining in the first half to put the Bears on top 14-7.
But the rest of the half belonged to TCU, as Kyle Lemmermann booted a 46-yard field goal with 5:18 left before Hoover cashed in an 11-play, 68-yard drive with a 1-yard keeper with 50 seconds to play to push the Horned Frogs in front at 17-14 at the break.
Lemmermann added a 47-yard FG on TCU's opening drive of the third quarter to expand the lead. But Baylor swung back, tying the game on a Dawson Pendergrass 1-yard rush with 5:09 remaining in the quarter.
The Horned Frogs went back in front on Savion Williams' 6-yard scoring pass to Jack Bech with 23 seconds to play in the third. That score was quickly countered by Washington's 35-yard touchdown run 57 seconds into the fourth that knotted the game at 27.
Washington's fourth TD run -- this one from a yard out with 4:54 left at the end of an 81-yard, 13 play march -- put the Bears on top. TCU responded with Hoover's touchdown pass to Bech with 1:55 remaining.
That set the stage for a final Baylor drive and Hankins' decisive kick.